My Big Story with Christopher Swan
A podcast that travels the USA interviewing uniquely inspiring people, uncovering big stories and ideas that inherently celebrate our differences In My Big Story with Christopher Swan, Christopher is literally on a plane, train, or automobile, traveling the USA, uncovering stories from the voices often not heard, crossing boundaries of diversity, differentness, and beliefs. These thought-provoking conversations are with people that have taken chances and carved out uncommon paths. Through these interviews and stories Christopher discovers dreams, ideas, and truths — and in turn, his big story unfolds — to create a world where everyone belongs.
Episodes
Alex Babajanyan is an artist. But art alone wasn't the right fit. He opened an art academy—to teach his students art and how to see the world in a new way. His journey to founder was far from ordinary, including a project for the band U2, an illustration project at Disney, running a design company, and even working with Sean Penn on a documentary film. Alex now runs his academy in Los Angeles, CA and teaches art at a local elementa...
You can have a creative life, on your terms. Just ask Tony Tharae. He made it happen.
Tony's a filmmaker, storyteller, a creative powerhouse, dabbling in all sorts of media, from film to illustration to branding and beyond. He has a background in Fine Arts and Mechanical Engineering, and has created work for major companies like Yahoo!, The Walt Disney Company, Qualcomm, Allergan, Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs, Condé Nast, and Sony...
Tina White, an independent event cake designer shares how she started and grew her business, Willow Tree Bakery. She also reveals how believing in herself was the key to success, and what things helped her stay creative and inspired. Tina also 'real talks' about a rough patch when she had to stop her business, and what she did to get it back.
See more about this episode and the show at: MyBigStory.show
...Chris Gaida is best known publicly for the #1 Amazon bestselling book, Arm Candy: A Celebrity Escort’s Tales From The Red Carpet; but there is so much more about Chris. He has held various roles in the entertainment world as producer and development producer, applied to law school, and more. Chris shares why he wrote his book, responses to it, his path through the entertainment world, and the lessons he has learned pa...
Melanie Celis (and Adrianna St. Clair) are co-owners of a hair salon. At first look, that doesn't seem so uncommon. But soon Melanie reveals how very uncommon both her business and approach are to the hairstylist world.
Having felt empty and unfulfilled in her career trajectory, she decided to pivot and follow the vision she had as an 11-year-old girl in a shopping mall, to become a hairstylist. Much to the chagrin of an early non...
Justin Michael Williams is a musical artist and inspirational speaker, with a wonderful story that's literally happening as we record this episode. Justin is transforming his world from a social media marketing entrepreneur to following his life’s dream and passion of being a musician, and motivating and inspiring people with his work and his art. Tune in to hear the life changing question his grandmother asked him an...
Christopher chats with Adrian Cropley, the president and founder of Cropley Communication. Adrian is the first guest on the show with an expertise in the corporate world, specifically in internal communication, change management and professional development. If you have no clue what any of that is, not to worry as we’ll cover it in the interview. More importantly, we focus on connecting value and meaning to his (and e...
Christopher sits down with winemaker, Garry Brooks. He and his wife Joanne founded Brooks Note Winery in Marin County, California. Garry has a great wine story that is far from typical because it’s all about following the thing you love, not just wine. Garry talks about the different phases of his journey: He went from a technology job at the Gap to going back to school and getting started in wine to working in the wi...
Vanessa Stump wasn't always a photographer. In fact, it took a leap of faith to become the professional photographer she is today. She now captures portraits and lifestyle moments, and specializes in food photography. Her work can be seen in publications such as Clean Eats, MasterChef, Sunset, Apartment Therapy, and many others. Embracing the skill of telling stories with her photography, clients such as AAA, Pinkberr...
Danika O’Leary’s good intentions and actions have been making a noticeable impact in her community. Her Haircuts for the Homeless program started as a simple act of kindness and has become regular acts of kindness each every other month. She begins by creating outdoor styling stations in a park in Santa Rosa, CA in Northern California, and with the help of local businesses and volunteers, she provides haircuts, food, ...
Christopher Swan chats with an artist he admires and has been following online for a while. If you’re a Disney fan, then you’ve probably seen his work, especially if you’re at all familiar with the Hipster Mickey (Mouse) illustrations. Freelance artist, Jerrod Maruyama, has been creating wonderful illustrations and character designs for clients like Disney, Warner Brother, Nickelodeon, Hasbro, Mattel, and so many more...
Christopher talks with with L.A. based interior designer, Anna Harris. In this interview, Anna expresses that she finally found “her people” when starting to learn interior design. Though she has worked in IT and finance for a long time, previous to jumping into design, don’t let that fool you. Anna finds creativity in all of it. Her story is really about discovering and taking advantage of life’s many opportunities, ...
Meet recording artist, Color Theory. But he's better known to his friends and family as Brian Hazard.
Color Theory has millions of fans that grew mostly online, especially with fans of 80's synthpop and Electronic Dance Music. Brian has successfully released nine albums as an independent artist. He also owns an audio mastering company, where he makes other artists sound amazing.
Brian and I...
Pat Wadors is aiming to help people flourish - affecting people's lives and experiences - doing it authentically and with great care. Because that’s her purpose. As the Senior Vice President of LinkedIn’s Global Talent Organization, and all around business leader, Pat helps people grow in their careers, and ideally, in all parts of their lives. Pat is also embracing diversity and inclusion in Silicon Valley, and recen...
We are doing something a little different in this episode. Christopher Swan is joined by a special co-host Ryan Dee, a dedicated fan of the show, as they look back at the first 3 months of episodes, highlighting some of the great moments, top advice, behind the scenes extras and where we’re headed next. Tune in to hear their favorite advice from guests, how it can be applied to your journey, and why the specific advic...
Mel Soriano recently completed his second pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago, the walking journey that’s typically taken as a form of spiritual growth or personal discovery. There are various routes to Camino and many people have walked as much as 500 miles to France and Spain, to the destination of the shrine of the Apostle St-James the Great in the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela.
Carlton Russell was raised in Southern Alabama by grandparents who taught him how to make the most out of his life. He has always been quick to learn and whip smart, which earned him a Social Service Management degree, made him an asset to Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus and an effective leader at the multiple social impact organizations that chose him as their Executive Director. In addition to his professi...
Rene Siegel is president and founder of Connext (formerly called, High Tech Connect), a marketing and communications consulting agency that tackles tough engagements for tech clients. They deliver subject matter expertise and experience - with the right attitude and energy - all to help their clients shine. When Rene left her corporate career in 1994, she never imagined she...
Actor and producer Parvesh Cheena and Christopher talk about Parvesh's living perspective to the life of a working actor. Parvesh has been in countless television roles and movies for over a decade. He gained notoriety for his roles in the Barbershop movies, NBC’s Outsourced and Transformers: Rescue Bots. In addition to his busy acting schedule, you’ll soon see him in season 2 of Crazy Ex-girlfriend, coming this Fall.
...Music producer, Jack Rayner has worked on many well-known projects including, Dancing With The Stars, Magic Mike, America's Got Talent, and has worked with famous celebrities like Katy Perry, Britney Spears, and so many more. Jack has such a great attitude and shares fun stories and highlights of his career - as well as the struggles that helped him get to where he is today. Through the conversation, Jack outlines how...
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